CRA Presents Initial Plans for Former Kennedy Homes Property

Published April 22nd, 2014

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Members of the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency are moving forward with plans to build more housing on top of land formerly occupied by a public housing complex in east Gainesville.

On Monday, the Gainesville CRA unanimously approved the initial plans to construct about 40 new housing units on the land where the Kennedy Homes apartment complex once stood on Southeast Eighth Avenue.

A fire destroyed the former public housing complex more than a decade ago, and the land has sat vacant ever since its demolition in 2007.

Members of the nearby community say they're hopeful that the new mixed-use development will bring more investment to the east side of town.

"This is an opportunity for the city of Gainesville, and the CRA, to really dispel the perception that was associated with Kennedy Homes," said former city commissioner Scherwin Henry.

He believes the new development, combined with a planned expansion of the former GTEC center across the street, could be a turning point for east Gainesville.

Doris Edwards, head of the Lincoln Estates Neighborhood Watch, agrees.

"We have some projects that have been adding value to east Gainesville, but this is going to be different," she said.

Because the project is still in the very early stages, city officials say there here have not been any estimates as to how much the Kennedy Homes property redevelopment would cost.

CRA officials are hoping to have the full master plan completed by the end of July.